As far as I can tell, this is exactly the
same DVD as that released by TDK a few years ago and reviewed
in these columns. Unfortunately, it is now shorn of its 15-minute
interview with Boulez which, whatever your views on such matters,
is surely a black mark. In fact, there are no extras at all,
which is a pity, for generally the reason to buy a DVD over
the original CD is to have background information, interviews,
rehearsal footage, the sorts of items that ‘flesh out’ the
music and performance. Given that the sound quality is markedly
worse than the audio CD, with lower levels and less detail,
plus a higher price tag, is there any reason at all to recommend
it?

Well, in one important
respect, there is. As has been pointed out many times, Bruckner’s
huge symphonic structures are seen as ‘cathedrals in sound’,
so to witness a performance in Bruckner’s own burial place,
and a spectacular one at that, is very moving. The magnificent
St. Florian church is so much better a venue for this music
than a modern, sterile hall, and though there is only so much
you can do with a filmed concert, Brian Large’s experienced
and sensitive camera knows instinctively when to leave the
musicians and slowly pan around the various murals and frescoes
which adorn its ceilings and walls. There is also the thrill
of watching an orchestra like the Vienna Philharmonic playing
at close quarters, something not many of us have the chance
to do. Then there is Boulez himself, all eagle eyes and economic,
batonless gestures. To see such spare, unhistrionic conducting
get such wonderful results is almost worth it.

The performance
itself has received much praise over the last ten years, and
I would undoubtedly echo that. I’ve had the CD a few years
and rarely reach for any other recording these days. Boulez’s
famously clear-headed, analytical approach never produces
coldness or sterility. Instead we have a completely fresh
look at the score, one which may be less ‘spiritual’ than
some famous readings, but which has a real sense of clarity
and purpose. His superbly terraced orchestral balance allows
the famous climaxes a true sense of place in the organic whole,
and the tempi strike me as spot-on, with no hurrying and plenty
of breathing space where required; as in the adagio. He also
lets us hear inner voices without too much string saturation
- harps, woodwind etc. are all beautifully clear but we still
have that Bruckner ‘glow’ that is essential. As if that weren’t
enough, it all fits comfortably onto one disc, so no tiresome
break for the finale.

The bottom line
is that given the lack of extras and only reasonable, rather
than excellent, audio quality, this is hard to recommend over
the CD, especially with that higher price tag. It will probably
be of most interest to real Bruckner aficionados, who
will love - as I did - the very special setting and watching
the world’s greatest Bruckner orchestra at work, but ordinary
music lovers should stick to the CD.

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